SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard set Port Condition YANKEE at 9a.m. Monday for all the ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the eastern ports of Puerto Rico due to incoming Tropical Storm Gonzalo.

The eastern ports of Puerto Rico under Port Condition YANKEE are Vieques, Culebra, Fajardo and Yabucoa. All other ports in Puerto Rico continue to operate under Port Condition X-RAY until further notice.

During Port Condition YANKEE (gale force winds are anticipated to make landfall within 24 hours) the ports in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the eastern ports of Puerto Rico are open to outbound vessel traffic only, while commercial inbound vessels are restricted from entering the port. Both the Puerto Rico Maritime Transportation Authority (ATM) ferries as well as the St. Thomas and St. John ferries in the U.S. Virgin Islands are authorized to continue local service until 6p.m. Monday, unless weather conditions deteriorate faster than expected causing the service to be suspended earlier.

Vessels greater than 500 gross tons currently in port are to make preparations to get underway and exit the port at this time, while all other vessels authorized to remain in port are to take appropriate precautionary measures to secure their vessels.

During Port Condition YANKEE, facilities should commence the termination of cargo handling operations.

Mariners should prepare for impending severe weather prior to the anticipated arrival of gale force winds or when an evacuation is in progress.

Owners and operators of recreational vessels should follow small craft advisories from the National Weather Service and take the necessary measures to safeguard the safety of their vessels, http://www.nhc.noaa.gov.